Editor,

Please allow me to clarify a few issues raised in the Sept. 10 article of The Post "Classroom time in limbo." The apparent concern in the community is the level of compensation that cooperating teachers receive for participating with Ohio University in teacher education. The most direct concern we have in the College of Education, and in other colleges as well, is the placement of our students in field settings.

As part of coursework, OU students have the opportunity to observe and participate in school settings where they may one day teach. The restriction on placement of our students in Athens County schools came as a surprise on Sept. 3 when we met with area school superintendents.

In response to these restrictions, faculty across the university began seeking alternative field setting placements. We have been heartened by the interest and cooperation of educators in our region who have opened their schools and classrooms to our students. In these settings students will find master teachers who welcome the opportunity to model excellent instruction.

I recognize and regret the inconvenience the current state of affairs causes some OU students. It is simply not the case, though, that students will have to satisfy field experience requirements by travelling to Cleveland or Cincinnati, as implied in the article.

We are able to place a number of students in private schools in the Athens area, and more in schools in neighboring counties. All students will have the opportunity to develop as professional educators in supportive school environments.

Finally, the College of Education has received strong and timely support from the Provost's Office in developing proposals for recognizing the contribution of Cooperating Teachers. We have examined the Cooperating Teacher agreements at 16 other colleges and universities in Ohio with the intent of making sure our proposals are in line with state standards.

All that can be done is being done to develop proposals that meet the needs of area teachers within the constraints of available university resources. As well, and just as importantly, all that can be done is being done to ensure OU students opportunities for positive field placement experiences.

James L. Heap, Ph.D.
Professor and Dean
College of Education
heap@ohiou.edu